The Knight, The Chariot, The Valkyrie
This look was meant to represent a breath of adulthood in a very whimsical, childhood based collection. Inspired by stronger, more authoritative figures such as knights, this piece features primarily silver colouring and the largest piece of yarn woven chainmail made for this collection. The only moment of childlike respite is in the pants, where the wondering line of iron paint plays off of other line and circle motifs throughout the collection.
Shape & Silhouette:
The chainmail halter top features a similar silhouette to other pieces in this collection, with hanging elements reminiscent of the top from look 4. However, the weight of the chainmail keeps the top firmly in place. This is mimicked in the structured shape of the barrel pant, made with a heavier weight satin finish cotton, to help create a visual structure that is evident throughout the piece. The low-rise pants feature pockets, and a purposefully curved hem finished with an internal bias binding.
Dyeing + Embellishment :
The top -
The top was made with European 4-in-1 chainmail, woven through with wool yarn dyed with black walnuts in order to create a single, sturdy material that blends weaving and chainmail techniques. The halter is secured in 2 (3 on the model) places with cotton cording woven into the chainmail top.
The pants -
The pants are dyed with a logwood dye bath. To create the pattern, the pants were not mordanted before dyeing, and instead were painted with an iron mordanted solution, therefore the areas of the pants that were painted with the iron would be the only place where the dye ‘took’. To add more visual interest to the pattern, the pants were then bundle dyed with dried mallow flowers after they were sewn.